Celebrating Multicultural Queensland Program

The Celebrating Multicultural Queensland (CMQ) program is an annual program that provides funding towards multicultural events and projects that engage people from culturally diverse backgrounds, including people who arrived in Australia as migrants or refugees, people seeking asylum, members of diverse cultural groups and the wider community, to contribute to building a inclusive, harmonious and united Queensland.

increased understanding between diverse cultural groups and the wider community

increased engagement of general community groups in connecting and welcoming migrants and refugees into a wide range of community activities.

Funding rounds in 2019–20

In 2019–20, the CMQ program will deliver two funding rounds:

Multicultural Events— This funding round closed 29 July 2019 .

Multicultural Projects— The multicultural projects funding round will open later in the year.

In 2019–20, the CMQ program will also support:

Regional Partnerships Demonstration Projects Targeted one-off funding of $100,000 per annum over three years has been approved for Balonne, Bulloo and Paroo Shire Councils to deliver demonstration projects, with community-based delivery partners and local communities, that implement strategies that strengthen welcome and inclusion in these regional locations.

Multicultural events

a multicultural festival

cultural celebrations that involve people from a particular community or diverse cultural groups, and the wider community.

a public or substantial gathering for the purpose of celebrating particular cultural traditions.

Multicultural projects

community based activities (such as workshops, training, skills development, knowledge and awareness raising, fostering social connections) to address an identified issue, which are conducted over a period of time with key deliverables/milestones and specified anticipated outcomes

benefits at an individual level, such as increased community participation, economic independence, inclusion or access to opportunities within the local community.

Multicultural Events

Funding will be allocated to events to be delivered across Queensland in 2020 that promote intercultural connections and inclusion and will build capacity to promote and celebrate the benefits of multiculturalism, supporting inclusive, harmonious and united communities.

Applicants will be notified of the outcomes before the end of December 2019.

The next funding round for multicultural events to be delivered in the 2021 calendar year will open in 2020.

Multicultural Projects

The successful recipients, under the 2018–19 multicultural projects funding round, have been announced.

Under the 2018–19 multicultural projects funding round, total funding of $375,221 has been allocated to 12 projects to be delivered across Queensland from July 2019 to June 2020 that will create pathways to participation for people from diverse cultural backgrounds in the cultural, economic, and social life of Queensland.

Who can apply?

Incorporated organisations operating as a not-for-profit/charitable entity, Local Government Authorities (LGAs) and P&C Associations are eligible to apply for funding and must:

have a registered and current Australian Business Number (ABN) that is not for a commercial entity or individual; or hold an exemption from registration; or complete a Statement by Supplier form

hold public liability insurance to the value of not less than $10 million, or provide evidence of plans to obtain insurance to the value of not less than $10 million to cover the proposed event or project

have no overdue reports, or service delivery or performance issues for funding previously or currently provided by the Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs.

How to apply

Please note, late applications, including supporting documentation, are not accepted, and requests for an extension are not considered.

Help with applying

If after reading the Guidelines you still have questions, or you require further information about the program, you can contact the Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you need advice in developing a funding application, or if you require information about other funding sources, you can contact the Community Funding Access Advisor at MDA Ltd on (07) 3198 2500 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MDA Ltd is a non-government organisation and is independent of the grant assessment process.

For more information about applying online, you can read the SmartyGrants – Help Guide for Applicants. If you are having difficulties with your SmartyGrants user account or accessing your application, you can contact SmartyGrants directly:

Phone (03) 9320 6888

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

acknowledge the Queensland Government funding on all promotional material associated with the funded event or project

submit an online Acquittal Report, or final report for sponsorships, by the specified due date

immediately inform the Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. of any proposed changes to the funded event or project, e.g. change in activities, dates, and locations.

Events calendar

Funded events are automatically included in the events calendar. Please email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any updates to an event so they can be reflected in our online calendar.

You can also use our event registration form to seek approval to promote other events and project activities on the calendar.